Chapter 27 We Have Tonight

When the Master of Lake-town called for a feast, Elwen's first thought was that greasy looking bastard could do with skipping a feast or two.

The company was given lodging at an inn, and soon they were all seated at a long table in the great room. She was sat between Fili and Balin, staring down at a plate full of food she absolutely didn't want to eat. Kili had chosen to sit on the other side of the table, away from her, and Thorin was at the head of the table with the master and his creepy ass sidekick. Elwen felt lost, ashamed, and simply wanted to go to sleep and pretend the whole business was already over and done.

Guilt settled in her stomach like a stone, making her feel sick and unsettled. She'd known when she stepped forward and spoke for Thorin, vouching for his word, that she just might be burning a bridge between her and Bard. But it had been instinct, to believe in the person she loved, to defend him when his character came into question. She didn't regret it, yet she couldn't help but feel sorry for herself. This was the second time she'd chosen the dwarves over her own kin, and it wasn't fair. She shouldn't have to choose.

She couldn't help but wonder if Bard might be right. Was going to the mountain a mistake? These were her mother's people, her flesh and blood. Bard and his children had accepted her into their home with open arms, so different from the reception she'd gotten in the Woodland Realm. How would she repay them? With fire and death?

Thorin had been so quick to promise wealth beyond measure. He'd played to the master's greed without so much as a second thought, not even pausing to consider the risk they were causing to the people Lake-town. He seemed to have a singular thought; getting to the mountain and retrieving the Arkenstone.

Words echoed in her mind, words she'd heard what felt like an age ago. Have you forgotten a strain of madness runs deep in that family? His grandfather lost his mind. Can you swear Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall?

No, she could not.

Elwen meant what she'd said to Thorin that night. He didn't have to succumb to the madness as his grandfather had before him. She still believed that, but there was no denying that the closer they drew to that mountain, the more she worried. His mind was becoming totally consumed, and she didn't know what she would do if she lost him to madness. All of his promises were well and good, but what use would they be if they all died and Lake-town was ash and dust?

You have no right to enter that mountain. Bard wasn't wrong, not with the risks so high.

I have the only right. Thorin wasn't wrong either.

This was his only chance to reclaim his home. Who was she to tell him he shouldn't? If it wasn't for him, Elwen would never have discovered who she was or where she came from. She'd given her word that she would help the dwarves reclaim their kingdom. A kingdom I will someday help him rule, if we survive.

But she didn't need it. The only thing she needed was Thorin. As long as she had him, she would be content to live a quiet, normal life.

A booming laugh came from the end of the table. Bombur was entertaining by catching various bits of food in his mouth. She looked at her friends and was glad to see them enjoying their time together. Everyone was smiling and laughing, even Kili, though he avoided her gaze. It was as if they thought this might be their last chance to be merry with one another. Perhaps it was.

Elwen's visions had never shown the others. Aside from herself, she had only ever seen Fili, Kili, Thorin, and Bilbo. Would the others make it through whatever was to come? She still did not yet know how she was to save the sons of Durin, let alone anyone else.

There had been no sightings of Azog since before they sought refuge with Beorn. He had not been with the orcs in Mirkwood, but…

The realization hit Elwen like a train. Her eyes went wide and she bit back a scream as she looked at Kili. The orc on the bridge, the big one what had been shouting orders at the rest. In all the chaos and the blur of battle, she hadn't realized.

Elwen had seen that orc before. In a vision, running Kili through with a mace.

"Is the food not to your liking, my Lady Elwen?" asked the master. The mention of her name jerked her out of the fog that seemed to have settled over her.

"The food?" she asked, blinking. Fili reached out under the table and gave her leg a squeeze, asking her if she was alright. The others were looking at her with concern, even Kili.

"My apologies," she said, feigning a smile. "I seem to find myself without appetite." It was true, more or less.

"You need to eat, lass," Balin chided softly. "You'll need your strength come morning."

She tried to give Balin a grateful smile, but it came off more as a grimace. She did not want to think about what tomorrow would bring.

"I find your choice of companions curious, King Thorin. A Halfling, and an elf," said the master's man, the creepy one eye browed fellow who had been introduced as Alfrid.

Elwen didn't like Alfrid, not at all. He was a slinky, untrustworthy little worm and she'd not cared for how he'd treated her uncle. At least when she was queen, she might have some ability to deal with the man.

Bard hadn't mentioned their familial connection. After the master welcomed the company, thrice in fact, Bard had simply walked away. She hadn't gone after him; she didn't know what to say. And she didn't want the master and Alfrid to know he was her uncle. If they knew who her mother was, surely they would know her father, and that was a secret she'd quite like to keep for now.

"Why does an elf woman travel with a group such as yourselves, and unchaperoned at that?" asked the master.

"Because she wishes to," Elwen replied coolie.

"My nephew acts as chaperone," Thorin said quickly. "He has claimed Kin's Rights." There was a brief explanation as to what that entailed, and the men of Lake-town nodded, satisfied. Sexist pigs.

"I joined the company, along with Master Baggins, when I found out how far they would be traveling. I wished to see the world."

More half-truths.

"And where do you hail from?" the master asked. She looked to Thorin with panicked eyes, unsure how to answer.

"Elwen comes from Rivendell," replied Thorin smoothly. She sighed, relieved.

"So far from home," the master mused.

You have no idea, she thought, taking a sip of wine.

The master turned to address Fili. "As she belongs to your household, I suggest finding her a suitable husband. To form a strong alliance."

Elwen's face barely made it back over her goblet before she spat out the wine.

"Pardon me?" she croaked. Why that old, fat, slimy son of a-

"There are many eligible bachelors here in Lake-town," the master plowed ahead, either ignoring her or completely unaware of the death glare she and the others were giving him. Fili unconsciously began to squeeze her leg tighter and tighter, and she was pretty sure Dwalin accidentally broke a plate. Elwen thought it showed just how far she'd come concerning her temper considering she hadn't leapt across the table to stab him yet.

"I myself, and also Alfrid here, are…unattached." He patted the corners of his mouth with a dirty napkin, and Alfrid licked his lips and smiled at her.

Elwen picked up a spoon. I'll scoop out their eyeballs and shove them so far down their throats, they'll be able to see out their arses…

"Elwen is spoken for," Fili snarled menacingly.

"Oh?" Alfrid said, raising an eyebrow. "By whom, may I ask?"

"To our king."

It was Kili who spoke. His tone was flat and his face utterly absent of the smile that had moments ago spread across his handsome face. He didn't look at anyone, just stared down at his half empty plate. She hadn't noticed that he, too, hadn't been hungry.

"Apologies," said the master, not sounding sorry at all. "And my congratulations! I look forward to celebrating your union once this dragon business is taken care of."

Elwen stood, her chair scraping against the stone floor.

"Excuse me," she muttered, turning on her heels and walking away without another word. A hot bath had been promised, and that sounded far better than pretending to eat with that pompous windbag. As if I'd invite that asshole to my wedding.

Elwen left the room the inn set aside for bathing and was nearing her room when a voice called out from down the hallway.

"There you are!"

She turned toward the deep, rich voice and smiled.

"You shouldn't have left the party," she scolded lightly.

Thorin's face split into a smile when he reached her. His cheeks were rosy from drink, but he didn't slur his words or sway where he stood. He looked cleaner than before, and she thought he must have also sought a bath before coming to find her.

"I wanted to see that you were alright," he said, wrapping her in his arms and pulling her close. "That man is an utter buffoon. How he became the master of this place, I'll never know."

Elwen laughed. That was an understatement if she'd ever heard one.

"You shouldn't miss out on the fun on my account," she said. "He's hardly the first man to say something idiotic in my presence, and it surely won't be the last."

"I would have thought the braid would let all know you are to be married." Thorin ran a finger over the strand of hair, his eyes sad. "The men of this land have all but forgotten us."

Elwen reached for his hand. "They will not forget again." She said it like a vow.

He smiled and shook his head as if to banish any lingering melancholy. "It is cold, and you are damp. Let's get you inside by the fire."

The pair found the room that had been designated for her and went inside. Elwen was grateful for the fire burning hot in the hearth. The days and nights grew ever colder as the first days of autumn drew near. Tomorrow, she reminded herself. Durin's Day is at hand.

When the door clicked shut and the bolt slid in place, Elwen suddenly became very aware that she and Thorin were, for the first time, unattended. For the first time since their meeting, no one was going to walk in and interrupt.

They were completely alone. In her room. With a bed and a toasty fire. Oh boy.

She did her best not to go stiff all over, but she felt herself begin to grow tense with nerves. Thorin, an ever observant dwarf, especially when it cames to her, looked at her seriously.

"Do you want me to go?"

There was no disappointment on his face, only concern for her comfort. He had no expectations, and it was that knowledge that made her smile and relax, even if only a fraction.

"Only if you want," she said honestly. "I feel badly that you're missing the feast, but I must admit…it's nice having you all to myself." She felt her cheeks grow hot at the admission.

"The last time I was able to hold you was inside a prison cell," Thorin laughed. "I would never pass on an opportunity for privacy. I think it shall be quite scarce very soon."

He steered her toward the fireplace. They sat on a soft, dark fur rug that Elwen thought must have come from a massive bear due to its size. The fire instantly began to chase the chill from her bones.

"This needs to be re-done," Thorin said, tugging on her braid lightly.

"I should think so," Elwen laughed and began to undo the snarled mess her braid had become. After getting lost in a creepy magical forest, wrapped up in a web by giant spiders, taken captive by King Cranky Pants, then chased down a river by a pack of orcs…well, yeah. It needed to be re-done.

"May I?" Thorin asked lowly, moving to her side for a better angle. She nodded shyly.

A dwarf male braiding his One's hair was such an intimate and special thing between couples; it wasn't until he was running his hands through her hair to untangle the knots that Elwen truly appreciated it. She relaxed under his ministrations, gazing at the cracking logs. The fire brought back memories of another fire she'd gazed upon some time back.

How long ago was it that Elwen had found herself in that bookshop with a strange old man seeing visions in the flame? Where was Gandalf now? She missed him, and wondered if she'd feel so conflicted now if he were still there to guide them.

"What are you thinking about?" Thorin asked. She couldn't believe such thick fingers could move so nimbly. She leaned into his warmth.

"Tomorrow," she replied, her voice quiet.

"You have nothing to fear, my love. Tomorrow we will find the door and retain the means to regain our homeland."

"It will be dangerous. If we wake that dragon-"

"We'll be careful," he assured her. "And it's worth the risk. I'll be able to give you a home, Elwen. A kingdom."

Thorin put a bead at the end of her braid when he was finished. She touched it, happy, and turned to her betrothed.

"I don't need a kingdom," she said, looking into eyes so blue she could drown. "I only need you. You are my home, Thorin."

She reached out and laid a hand on his cheek. He leaned into her touch and turned his head to kiss the inside of her wrist. When they locked eyes once more, there was a heat in his eyes that had nothing to do with the fire. He ran a scorching, rough hand down the column of her neck and cupped the back of her head.

"I am so completely lost to you, Elwen Greenleaf," he said hoarsely. "I cannot lose you, nor will I be taken from you. I love you."

Elwen wasn't sure what to say, what she could say to a declaration like that. She didn't have words to describe that she too was lost, had been from that evening on the bridge in Rivendell. Maybe longer than even that. She'd loved him even then, and wished they had more time before marching off to so much uncertainty. But we have tonight.

She leaned forward, so close that their lips nearly touched, and whispered, "Show me."

The tension between them broke with a near audible crack. Thorin's lips found hers in a kiss both bruising and intoxicating. They moved together in a desperation she'd not thought possible. She opened to him, and she was completely submerged in his taste and touch and scent.

Elwen hadn't kissed many people, so she had next to nothing to compare it to, but she as absolutely certain that she was feeling things she'd never felt before. Her stomach was fluttering and noises were coming unbidden from her throat. She felt like she was going to come out of her skin. Her fingers moved of their own accord, slipping inside the front of his shirt till they found skin. He was hot to the touch, and he hissed when she laid a hand flat on his chest.

She wanted to be closer. She wanted to know the feeling of his skin on hers. A moan poured from her as he left a hot trail with his lips down her throat.

I need him, she thought, surprising herself. Elwen had never needed anyone, not in that way or anyway at all. It confused and frightened her, but also thrilled her in a way that was unexpected. This is desire. She found that desire was a raging inferno that just might burn her alive, and she'd let it. She'd never understood until that moment how easy it would be to become so lost in another's touch that time held no meaning. Nothing mattered outside that moment. Not a quest or a kingdom or a dragon. Nothing. There was only him. Only Thorin.

Elwen shivered when Thorin pushed her top to the side to kiss and nip her collarbone. His hands wormed their way up the back of her shirt and she leaned into his touch as he slid his hands up her back. His lips found hers again, and she felt him lift the hem of her shirt. She was about to help him remove it altogether when he suddenly froze.

Thorin tore his mouth away from hers, his breathing hard and ragged. He removed his hands quickly, but slid them around her tenderly once he was sure he could control himself. He leaned into her until their foreheads touched.

"Forgive me," he breathed.

Elwen started. "For what?"

He leaned back so he could look at her. His usual sapphire eyes had gone dark with want and she had to suppress the shiver snaking its way up her spine.

"I lost myself in the moment," he said, looking sheepish. "I nearly pushed too far."

Elwen smiled at him and cuddled further into his arms. "You don't need to apologize Thorin." She daringly planted a small kiss to the exposed skin of his chest and he jumped in surprised. She laughed. "I wouldn't have stopped you, just so you know."

Thorin looked god-smacked at this, and again she couldn't help but laugh.

"You remember me saying courting was different where I grew up," she reminded him. "Not everyone waits to…well, err, you know…" She felt her cheeks grow hot.

"Make love?" he said lowly, his eyes simmering.

Elwen bit her lip shyly and mentally scolded herself. We're getting married for crying out loud! It would be ridiculous if they couldn't discuss sex openly and honestly.

"How do you feel about waiting until we are wed?" he asked, clearly thinking along the same lines as she. "You said you've never been with anyone, but not how you felt about it."

Elwen tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I've not thought much about it, if I'm honest," she replied. "My life up to this point has been about survival, not romance. I certainly never dreamed I'd find myself engaged at twenty!"

"Twenty-five," Thorin corrected her teasingly, then laughed when she swatted at him. The comment brought something to the forefront of her mind, though. Something she probably should have asked before, you know, agreeing to marry him.

"Thorin," she said slowly. Judging by the amusement dancing on his face, He'd guessed her thoughts. "Are you terribly much older than Fili and Kili?"

Thorin chuckled deeply, much to her annoyance. "I wouldn't use the word terribly, but I am their mother's older brother."

Elwen pulled a face. "How much older?" she demanded. "You don't look a day over forty."

"Does it matter?" he asked, dropping a kiss to her forehead. "Dwarves aren't immortal, but we do live very long natural lives. And you are elf-kind. We will have a long, happy life together."

His words were sweet and true, but he was a fool if he thought that would dissuade her.

"How old are you?" Her tone brokered no room for argument. Thorin sighed, knowing defeat when he saw it.

"I will be one hundred and fifty come summer."

Elwen's jaw dropped with an audible pop. Thorin frowned.

"I did not think the difference in our years would be a problem, dear one." He sounded worried, but Elwen couldn't help it. One hundred and fifty bloody years old!? How on earth…

Where Elwen was from, twenty-five and forty was an age difference people would look upon and frown. But she didn't know how to explain those kinds of social constructs to a being who might live to be well over two hundred. She understood rationally that none of that mattered. They were in Middle-earth now and clearly no one gave a damn about age here.

"Wait a second," she said as another thought struck her. "Do all dwarves save themselves for their wedding night? That's hard for me to believe considering you said yourself many dwarf males never find their One."

Thorin winced. Clearly this wasn't something he thought she'd bring up. She pointed at him accusingly.

"I knew it!" she exclaimed. "Gloin is the only married fellow out of you lot, but I knew you couldn't all be virgins!"

"It isn't openly discussed," Thorin muttered, "but there are those who seek physical companionship elsewhere when it's available. Some dwarf women who reject marriage aren't opposed to…well…But we were speaking of tradition. Once a man is passed the usual age of marriage and has not found his one…" Thorin shrugged.

"You mean like you?" Elwen's eyes narrowed. Thorin winced again.

"I never expected to marry, Elwen," he explained. "Once Fili was born, I had an heir. The idea that my One existed for me felt impossible. It never bothered me; it was something I accepted when I came of age and found that no one inspired such sentiment in me." He implored her to understand. "After the dragon came, and we began to wander, we took work wherever we could find it. There were times when curious women approached me and-"

"I don't need details, Thorin."

She sounded harsher than she meant to and felt badly when Thorin hung his head. She wasn't sure where the anger or jealousy was coming from. He as over a century years old, for goodness sake. It wasn't fair for her to act like he'd done something wrong when he hadn't, and she told him as much. He touched her cheek gently and turned her head up to meet his gaze.

"If I had known you were anywhere out there in the world, that I would someday find you and be able to call you mine…" Thorin leaned forward until their foreheads touched. "Elwen, I would have waited an age more for you. I would never have touched another, none could have entice me, for it would have been a betrayal of my heart."

Elwen looked at him. His eyes were clear, open, and honest; she believed he spoke true. Thorin hadn't thought he'd ever find his One and had resigned himself to being alone like so many others did.

But Kili hasn't, she thought, the realization startling. He hasn't resigned himself to never finding his One…because he already had. He'd made it no secret that he loved her, but had never claimed aloud that he thought she was his soulmate. Or had he? Though I've known you for what seems like so few days, my soul has known yours my entire life, he'd said.

Maybe I was the reason Kili had wanted to see the world. He was looking for me, even when he didn't realize it.

But Thorin had, in a way, found her first. It didn't seem fair. It wasn't. Thorin had resigned himself to being alone, but Kili never would. She knew dwarves too well to hope he would ever find someone else. That's not how their hearts worked.

Elwen leaned in and pressed her lips to Thorin's, banishing thoughts of things she couldn't change.

"I love you," she whispered, because it was true.

"And I love you," he replied.

They once again became lost in the taste of tongues and feel of skin. He kissed her so thoroughly she forgot everything that had ever plagued her mind. For a precious few moments, they were no one. Not a king and a princess, dwarf and elf or human. They were two people tangled together, dipped in the shadows dancing across the room from the low burning fire.

They were no one, but together, they were everything. Tomorrow they would go back to their duties and dangers. Tomorrow I'll face Kili's broken heart, my pissed off uncle, and dragon fire. But not tonight.

Elwen shivered against the cool air when Thorin eased the shirt over her head. His soon followed, and they both gasped when they came skin to skin.

This wasn't where Elwen thought the night would lead, and she wasn't entire sure it's where it should lead. She was terrified of what the morning would bring. Though she had no experience in these matters, she was pretty sure making love because you were scared you might die wasn't a very good reason. But we might die. I don't want to die without having known his touch.

If there were to be regrets, she would face them with the dawn.

When her hands found his breeches and she began to work them open, his hands stilled her work.

"Are you sure, Elwen?" he asked. "This isn't something you can take back once it's done."

His voice sounded regretful, as if he were sorry for nothing having anything to give in return. Her modern sensibilities told her that was rubbish, and the idea of ones virginity having anything to do with someone's worth was barbaric. Plus, Thorin had given Elwen something far more valuable.

I have what no other will ever have, she thought. For I have the heart of the King Under the Mountain.

"Yes," she breathed. "I want this. Do you?"

Thorin removed his hands and ran a finger down the soft skin of her neck.

"Yes," he said, his voice gravel and smoke.

Inch by inch they shed their clothes and breath by breath they explored the plains and valleys of their skin. She felt his muscles jump beneath her lips as she dragged them down his chest and stomach. She sighed as the heat of his tongue found uncharted territories.

Finally, his face hovered above hers. Once again, they asked. Once again, the answer was yes.

Elwen knew he couldn't stay, and that it pained him to leave her side, so she didn't show her sadness as she watched Thorin slowly dress.

"If you keep looking at me that way, I'll never be able to leave," he said roughly, noticing the way her eyes traveled the length of him. Thank the powers that be for dwarf princes who worked in forges. She wanted to run her hands over the muscles of his chest and stomach, but she only snuggled deeper into the covers.

The fire burned bright after Thorin built it back up, but it was still cold without him. After he was fully dressed, he sat on the edge of the bed.

"I do not wish to go," he said, touching her bare shoulder.

"I know, but you should," she said, grinning slyly. "Besides, once we're married, I'll have you in my bed every single night."

He leaned in and kissed her slowly. "Our bed," he said.

Even though they were betrothed, it would be seen as improper for them to be alone together as they were. He did not want to give the master a reason to fuss, nor did he want word of it to get back to her uncle. There was hope he would forgive her in time, and Thorin wanted their relationship to be as easy as it possibly could.

They kissed goodbye, keeping it chaste lest they tempt fate.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you," she replied, and the door clicked shut behind him.

Thorin regretted leaving her side as soon as the door latched behind him. His arms already felt empty without her in them, his body far too cold. They had already flouted tradition, what could sleeping by her side matter now?

Soon, he thought.

Tomorrow they would retrieve the Arkenstone and the dwarves would rally to their king. Once the mountain was once again home, he would marry Elwen and together they would rebuild Erebor. They would never again need to be apart.

There was a part of Thorin that wished he could give Elwen a proper courtship. Normally betrothed couples were so well chaperoned that they were rarely allowed more than a few stolen moments alone together.

He recalled his own sister being taken to task by their father for sneaking around with Vili before they were wed. As her brother, perhaps he should have been more concerned about Dis' honor, but there was no point. Dis never did anything she damn well didn't want to do, and was tough as a bear besides. He wondered what his sister would think of Elwen. Their meeting would probably be something like two storms colliding. And I'll be quite outnumbered when that day comes. The thought wasn't unpleasant, if a bit chilling.

Thorin was thinking about this as he went in search of a room to sleep in. When he turned a corner, he caught sight of Kili limping his way down the hallway. Thorin frowned. His youngest nephew was pale, more so than he had been only a few hours before. His brow was creased with pain, and gone was his usual cheerful demeanor.

Thorin thought about the way Kili had stared at the braid in Elwen's hair, as if his entire world had been set ablaze and nothing but ash remained. Thorin was certain he hadn't seen his nephew truly smile since that moment.

And I am the cause of that pain.

Kili lifted his eyes, startled to see Thorin.

"Oh," he said. "I was coming to find Elwen. I wanted to make sure she wasn't hungry. She barely at anything at table."

Thorin saw the small parcel in hand, no doubt food. He'd brought Elwen a midnight snack. Thorin mentally kicked himself; he should have thought of that.

"I just left her," he said. "She should be sleeping now."

He wished he could take the words back as soon as he said them. It only took Kili seconds to size him up. Sharp eyes took in Thorin's untucked rumpled shirt and wild hair, and damn him for no lacing his breeches all the way.

Thorin didn't think Kili could go any paler until he did. His face flashed between fury and grief before finally settling into an emptiness that could only be described as heartbreak.

Kili spun around and lurched back down the hallway, hissing in pain as he pushed his injured leg too far. Thorin grabbed his arm only to have it jerked from his grasp, but he paused. He kept his eyes forward and Thorin felt his heart seize.

This was Kili, his Kili. The little boy he had given archery lessons and told stories and rocked to sleep after a nightmare. Fili and Kili meant more to him than they could possibly understand. Now Kili won't even look at me.

"Tell me how to fix this," Thorin pleaded. "How can I help?" He could have been talking about the leg, and even though they both knew that wasn't true, it was easier to pretend.

"This isn't like the time I fell out of a tree and got banged up," Kili said, voice barely above a whisper. "I think this is beyond even you to fix."

Thorin was struck dumb. Kili was right; this was not a hurt he could soothe as if Kili were still a lad. He stood before his uncle now nearly of age. A man, by human standards. A man in love with a woman he could not have, who had not chosen him in return. It was possible there was someone still out there. Perhaps Kili would yet find his One. That's what Thorin told himself because the alternative…it was too much to bare. No, Kili was young, too young. He would find someone someday. But saying so out loud would do no one any good, and Kili would resent it. So Thorin cleared his throat and looked at his nephew sternly.

"Well, I can still help you to your room. I'll hear no argument from you," he snapped when Kili began to protest. Softer, he added, "You're right. This isn't a skinned knee or a cat scratch, and you're too big to hold. Let me do what I can, at least."

Kili's face crumbled for just a moment, and both had to look away. At least he still loves me, Thorin thought. Tears meant there was hope.

Kili didn't reply, simply reached out an arm and let Thorin support his weight. They walked slowly and quietly until Kili paused in front of a door. He reached or the handle and paused.

"Thorin?" he said quietly, looking over his shoulder. "Be good to her. Love her, and don't hurt her."

Thorin heard the plea as well as the warning.

"The only thing I want is her happiness," Thorin replied.

"Then we want the same thing. Good night, and thank you, Uncle." Kili went inside and shut the door. Thorin shook his head. There was nothing left to say or do besides seek his own bed as well.

Thorin did not often dream. A life of hard labor and leadership often exhausted him so thoroughly that when he slept, it was deep and dark. But on the night before he went to the mountain, Thorin Oakenshield dreamed, and he dreamed of her.

He saw himself with a crown upon his head. He had taken his rightful place as King Under the Mountain. Placed above him, set within the throne, was the Arkenstone. The King's Jewel.

Yet even the Arkenstone paled in comparison to his queen.

Elwen, dressed in white silk, wore a circlet of simple silver set with jewels of starlight. She smiled at him, a toothy grin full of delight and mischief. His queen, his wife. His One. He had everything he'd ever longed for and all he thought he would never have.

As she gazed at him, the brilliance of her smile began to dim. A look crossed her face that he barely recognized, for it was not an expression often seen on Elwen Greenleaf. Fear. Pure terror rippled across her features.

Thorin looked about frantically, searching for the cause, rushing to her defense. But they were alone. When he reached for her, she recoiled as if he were poison.

It's me, he realized. I am what she fears.

Elwen's bright eyes were wide as plates, and when she opened her mouth, a terrorized cry pierced the quiet, echoing off rock and stone. He tried to reach for her again and froze, gazing at his hands. What he saw did not belong to him. Claws, long and sharper than dwarf forged steel. Thorin recoiled and opened his mouth to tell her not to be scared, that it was only he who loved her, but his voice was also not his own.

A roar so familiar, so deafening, filled the hall and drowned out his wife's frightened screams. And with the roar came fire.

Flames rained down upon Elwen until cries of fear turned to agony, and soon, silence.

Her cowering form crumbled until his wife was nothing but a pile of ash and melted starlight.

Thorin awoke. He bolted upright, using his forearm to smother the cry bubbling up his throat. Balin and Dwalin snored from their beds undisturbed.

Thorin did not sleep again. He sat up watching the flames in the hearth, trying and failing to banish the sight of Elwen scrambling away from him. No matter how he tried, right up until the room began to lighten with the coming dawn, visions of his love set ablaze danced before his eyes and in his mind, the echoes of her dying wail.

Elwen skittered out of bed once Thorin was gone, bare feet padding across the room as she slid the bolt into place. She stood in front of the fire, thankful for its warmth. The dwarves had been right; it would be difficult to adjust to the cold of the mountain. Perhaps Kili will have to roll me to the throne room after all.

She sighed. She didn't want to think about Kili, not now. It would only cause pain and confusion, and that wasn't what she wanted to think about right after then night she'd just had.

She stretched as she slipped into her clothes one layer at a time, wishing there could be time to wash them. Guess a dunk in Bard's toilet will have to do.

She found that she was sore in a way she hadn't expected and knew it would be worse by morning. Already a deep ache was forming in her center, but she smiled despite it all. Elwen had never known love before, not truly. Never known what it was like to have someone grip you mind, body, and soul. They'd come together in such a way that to ignore fate's hand in the matter would be foolish.

It's why I'm here, she thought as she knelt in front of the hearth. The love she felt for the dwarves, for Thorin, Kili, and Fili, it would save their lives. It had to, because a world without them was no world she cared to live in.

Elwen blinked, her eyes tired. She knew rest was needed. There was no way to know what the morrow would bring. But before she could turn from the leaping flames, she felt that familiar tug, a falling away of the world.

The walls melted and Elwen found herself standing on one of the docks outside. She gasped, her breath mist on the air.

And then she heard it. An unearthly roar split the air and made Elwen's blood turn to ice.

"The dragon!" someone shouted.

Suddenly, the world was full of screams and people running frantically. But she didn't know where they were going to go. They were trapped out in the middle of a freezing lake.

The first burst of fire hit the town in an explosion. Wood splintered and burst into flames as the dragon Smaug rained down burning death upon the people. The air shimmered with heat and steam and the moans of the injured and dying were almost too much to bare. Agony and fear so profound Elwen could taste it on the wind.

She spun around, desperately looking for an escape and finding none. As far as she could see, the entire world was ablaze.

The planks beneath her feet shook as the dragon roared, each beat of his mighty wings a thunderclap. She turned to run the other way, but the wood beneath her feet trembled so violently that she lost her footing. She felt the blaze on her back as she tipped forward into the icy depths of the lake and…

Elwen found herself on her hands and knees, panting, fingers digging into the fur rug beneath her trembling form. She forced herself to breath deep and even to quell the rising nausea, willing the shaking to stop.

She pushed herself away from the fire and found her staggering way to the bed. She wasn't sure how long it took for sleep to pull her under into the dark. But even in her dreams, the world burned. Trees like torches blazed with light…

Authors Note:

Hello everyone! I hope you're all doing well! Once more, I must apologize for a late posting. I've found these last few months entirely too busy for much of anything besides work and occasional sleep.

I hope you all enjoy the chapter! I know it's a little meandering, but I felt like the company deserved a break, and I wanted to show some progress in some of our relationships if you know what I'm saying haha!

I'm sorry to say I more than likely won't be posting chapter 28 until probably August unless something insane happens. I'm working on my own original piece of fiction and have a self-imposed deadline of July, so I'll be using all of my spare time to complete this. But no worries, after I'm done with that I'll probably be so sick of it that I'll want to do nothing else but work on this story! My aim would be to completely finish this story by years end, but I don't want to make promises. It's a goal, though!

Thank you to all the new favorites and follows! I still can't believe so many of you have read and enjoyed this little story of mine. It means more than you know! And please please please review, I love hearing from you all! It makes my day every time.

Elvenrose22: Here is mooooorrrreeeee!

Tesw0505: Thank you so much, and I apologize for the delay! I hope you'll stick with me while I finish up what I need to do before I can write chapter 28. Hope this tides you over!

Silverhawk88: Thank you so much! I enjoy writing Elwen's character so much. I dream of reaching her level of sass someday! And yes, I think Thranduil will indeed be surprising a few folks in the chapters ahead! Stay tuned!

Alright everyone, once again thank you so much for your enduring patience and please stay with me while I work hard to bring you the best content I can!

Cheers,

L